Susquehanna Basin Water Trail Team Celebrates Grand Opening
By BILL BELLEN
COOPERSTOWN
With lake foam lapping against the shore and rain pelting down from above, the morning of Thursday, June 26 dawned dreary and damp. However, as one approached the water and looked out across Otsego Lake from Council Rock Park, a string of objects appeared to part the mist. From the haze began to emerge a group of… canoes?
This gathering of intrepid paddlers of all ages braved the waves in order to take part in the grand opening of the New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail. The culmination of years of efforts from a myriad of organizations, this marks the fourth and newest organization of New York’s waterways into demarcated and navigable sources of recreation for tourists and locals alike.
Following in the footsteps of the New York State Canalway Water Trail and the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail, this new route traverses eight counties and covers 190 miles of river from its headwaters in Cooperstown to its final destination in Corning. Self-described as having 43 designated river communities along the way, 50 official access sites, and 11 preformed itineraries to guide travelers, the SBWT is touted as an ideal experience for both novice and masterful river goers.
Cassandra Harrington, team captain of the new water trail and president and chief executive officer of Destination Marketing Corporation, shared her thoughts on these metrics.
“Those itineraries include specific sections that we’ve deemed safe to paddle. And then there’s difficulty level and distance and specific hazards you might encounter between those two safe access points. And our trail in particular is actually on three different rivers. It’s the New York section of the Susquehanna, but then also meets the Chemung River and a small section of the Cohocton River… The water trail really just kind of helps connect users, paddlers, and recreational folks with the local river communities and amenities, like lodging, campgrounds, outfitters, and restaurants.”
